Miami, Feb 28 (IANS): Miami International Airport (MIA) has become the first major US airport to implement facial recognition technology with an eye towards shortening passport check time for visitors arriving from abroad.

"In order to meet the growing challenge of balancing traveller volumes and security, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has partnered with industry stakeholders to leverage biometric technology and systems," said US CBP Commissioner Todd Owen on Tuesday.

For the time being, the facial recognition machines have only been installed in Concourse E, where international airlines such as Russia's Aeroflot, Spain's Iberia, Mexico's Interjet, Ireland's Air Lingus and Qatar Airways operate, Efe news reported.

The new technology can screen as many as 10 passengers per minute, said MIA authorities in a statement.

MIA -- one of the country's main international air hubs -- thus becomes the first airport in the country to install a system fully dedicated to providing expedited passport screening via facial recognition technology.

Meanwhile, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez said that the enhancement will "improve the international arrival experience for visitors".